A39673:1240
Navigation spiritualizedNavigation spiritualiz'd
Navigation spiritualized: or, A new compass for seamen consisting of XXXII points of pleasant observations, profitable applications, and serious reflections: all concluded with so many spiritual poems. Whereunto is now added, I. A sober consideration of the sin of drunkenness. II. The harlots face in the Scripture-glass. III. The art of preserving the fruit of the lips. IV. The resurrection of buried mercies and promises. V. The sea-mans catechism. Being an essay toward their much desired reformation from the horrible and detestable [sic] sins of drunkenness, swearing, uncleanness, forgetfulness of mercies, violation of promises, and atheistical contempt of death. Fit to be seriously recommended to their profane relations, whether sea-men or others, by all such as unfeignedly desire their eternal welfare. By John Flavel, minister of the Gospel.Navigation spiritualiz'd: or, A new compass for seamen consisting of XXXII points of pleasant observations, profitable applications, and serious reflections: all concluded with so many spiritual poems. Whereunto is now added, I. A sober consideration of the sin of drunkenness. II. The harlots face in the Scripture-glass. III. The art of preserving the fruit of the lips. IV. The resurrection of buried mercies and promises. V. The sea-mans catechism. Being an essay toward their much desir'd reformation from the horrible and destable [sic] sins of drunkenness, swearing, uncleanness, forgetfulness of mercies, violation of promises, and atheistical contempt of death. Fit to be seriously recommmended to their profane relations, whether sea-men or others, by all such as unfeignedly desire their eternal welfare. By John Flavel, minister of the Gospel.
London: printed for M. Fabian, 1698
Title page typeset from the transcription.
A Sober Consideration Of the SIN of DRUNKENNESS. › Caution 1: I. CAUTION.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Arg. 10. That it is a sin out of whose power few or none are ever rescued or reclaimed. On this account it was that Saint Augustine called it the Pi• of Hell: he that is addicted to this Sin, becomes incurable (saith a Reverend Divine) for seldom, or never, have I known a Drunkard recalled.1 And its power to hold the soul in subjection to it, lies in two things especially: (1) as it becomes habitual; and habits are not easily broken; be pleased to view an Example in the case, Prov. 23. 35. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me and I felt it not. When I shall awake, I will seek it yet again. (2.) As it takes away the heart, Hos. 4 11. that is, the understanding, reason and ingenuity of a man, and so makes him uncapable of being reclaimed by counsel. Upon this account it was, that Abigail would not speak less or more to Nabal, till the Wine was gone out of him, 1 Sam. 25. 36, 37. plainly intimating, that no ⟨p. 20⟩wholesome counsel can get in, till the Wine be gone out. When one asked Cleostratus, whether he were not ashamed to be drunken, he tartly replied; And are not you ashamed to admonish a Drunkard? intimating that no wise man would cast away an admonition upon such an one. And it not only renders them uncapable of counsel for the time, but by degrees it besots and infatuates them; which is a very grievous stroke from God upon them, making way to their eternal ruin. So then you see upon the whole, what a dangerous gulf the sin of Drunkenness is. I beg you for the Lords sake, and by all the regard you have to your souls, bodies, and estates, beware of it. Oh consider these ten Arguments I have here produced against it. I should have proceeded to answer the several Pleas and Excuses you have for it. But I mind brevity, and shall shut up this first Caution, with a very pertinent and ingenious Poem of Mr. George Herbert, in his Temple.
Arg. 10. That it is a sin out of whose power few or none are ever rescued or reclaimed. On this account it was that Saint Augustine called it the Pi of Hell: he that is addicted to this Sin, becomes incurable (saith a Reverend Divine) for seldom, or never, have I known a Drunkard recalled.